Saratoga National Golf Club

[Tony Covey MGS]

Let's start with some full disclosure of bias sort of stuff. Basically me writing a review of Saratoga National (even an informal one such as this) is akin to Kirstie Alley writing a review of cake. It's not that cake isn't really, really good, it's more about acknowledging right out of the gate that you've already had the the black forest cake, and you know you love it; metaphorically speaking of course.

 

Over the last few years I've played Saratoga National a half a dozen times or so. It's a challenging Roger Rulewhich design is, in my mind, equal parts links and marsh/parkland style that at times is more frustrating than fun. Although at the end of the day, I've always had a good time. The conditions are nothing less than first class, which was even more impressive when I played last week considering that it's the middle of our fall season, and more surprisingly, we're apparently in the tail end of our monsoon season.

 

The facility features the areas best practice area which includes an all grass driving range with ample targets, fantastic short game area, and a spacious putting green.

 

Though I wouldn't advise it, we played from the tips, which extend just over 7200 yards. I'll be the first to admit I've got no business playing from back there, but since the course was reasonably empty, my partners included a PGA Teaching Pro, and his apprentice, and since our 4th was getting married in two days, and wanted to play the tips, that's what we did. I certainly don't recommend it unless you've got serious game. While I enjoy a challenge, spending most of the day going driver - 5-iron (if I was lucky) on par 4s, and 4-wood on par 3's, well...it was tough; brutal actually.

 

Marshlands, tall heather, water, and other waste areas come into play on nearly every hole. The sand is tour quality (at least what I think tour quality sand must be like), soft and fluffy, and unlike most anything we generally find here in the Northeast.

 

The view from my 2nd on #1 at Saratoga National

 

The 2nd (shown in both pictures above) offers some relief as far as distance goes, but as with most holes at National, there are lots of ways to find trouble. Even if you don't, the tiered, sloping green, makes for more than the occasional 3-putt.

 

The 4th features a forced carry which can be difficult for some from both the whites and the blues. From the black it's about 230, and only gets longer down the left side. I hit a beautiful draw...and then took my drop.

 

From the tips, the 5th plays about 230. I will not discuss it any further.

 

The 7th is one of the shorter par 3s on the course. From the tips it played a modest 190..

 

The relatively trouble-free 8th, generally offers some relief, unless you land in one of the green-side bunkers.

 

The 12th is another "short" par 3. On this day it played about 220, slightly uphill, and protected by a pair nasty pot bunkers.

 

The 13th is a long par 5 with water down the left side, and bisecting the fairway. The road to the clubhouse runs down the right side It's difficult for sure, but also stunningly beautiful, and a ton of fun to play.

 

One of my favorites on the course, 14 is a short par 4. There is OB on the left, and plenty of trouble on the right. Keep it near the fairway, however, and it's one of the easiest holes on the golf course.

 

The 15th is the favorite of many who visit Saratoga National. It's one of the shorter par 3s on the course, featuring a substantial water carry (too long and you're in more water). If the water isn't enough, a couple of bunkers provide extra protection.

 

The 17th is another one of my favorites. It's a dogleg left which must be played smartly. Too long, and you're in a bunker. Try and cut the corner and come up short, you're in a bunker. Sail the green, bye bye ball. It's a great hole, however; and a fabulous precursor to the 18th.

 

The 18th is everything a finishing hole should be. The long par 4 (from the tips anyway) requires a forced carry (about 215), and a long 2nd shot. Water flanks the green to the left, and the clubhouse sits above. It's everything a finishing hole should be; memorable..

 

When you've completed your round, the always courteous staff will clean your clubs (worth mentioning that if you don't use the bag drop when you come in, more often than not, they'll meet you at your car). From there you can either call it a day, or wander in to the bar, which just happens to be at Prime, the finest steakhouse in the area.

 

Annual memberships are available, and run between $4000, and $5000 depending on which level you choose. A round of golf generally runs between $120 & $180 depending on the day of the week, and the time of year (August is peak season). Early and late seasons discounts often drop the cost of a round to between $60 and $80.

 

Saratoga National is twice over the most expensive course in the immediate area, and is generally more expensive than the world-renowned Sagamore resort, and even 2 of the 3 courses at Turning Stone. That said, Saratoga National worth every penny, and is an absolute must play if you're ever in the Saratoga, NY area.

[cheymike]

Nice review GST. If I ever get up that way, I'm going to have to give Sara Nat. a shot!

[Super Tuna]

Gorgeous loooking course!

[TWShoot67]

Where's my invite? WOW the course looks gorgeous! Is this a Resort course or private? looks very plush, I wish my fairways were as wide as those.I played in a GAP winter series event yesterday that played just over 6,800 and thank god my driver was working. Otherwise in the wet conditions I could see me hitting many 4 and 5 iron approach shots. So I see where your coming from when you play 7,200 yards. 7,200 would be fine on a 85 to 90 degree day where the fairways have some roll out. Otherwise if you play in wet conditions most will be hitting driver then 3wood to get on or around the green.LOL

Just my 2cents,

Tim

[Tony Covey MGS]

Saratoga National is a public golf course. The guys who built it wanted to build a course with the lure of a high-end country club, but without any of the nonsense that accompanies it (initiation fees, restaurant/pro shop minimums, annual assessments to pay for bunkers and tee boxes, and whatever else the committee decides the membership should pay for).

 

As I mentioned, annual memberships are available, but they're basically for unlimited golf and a locker. There's no waiting list, none of that snooty "who do you know" crap, no initiation fees, no minimums. Anybody with the cash can join, and if you can't shell out $5K, it's still yours to play whenever you have +/- $120 or so burning a hole in your pocket.

 

The practice area is also open to the public for $25 a day. I hit balls there next to Bill Parcells a couple years back, but now he plays most of his local rounds at the more exclusive Donald Ross designed Glens Falls Country Club.

 

There are rumors (nothing more) floating around that they're trying to acquire some surrounding property in order to build a hotel and another golf course, which would be awesome, but who knows if it will actually happen.

[TWShoot67]

Saratoga National is a public golf course. The guys who built it wanted to build a course with the lure of a high-end country club, but without any of the nonsense that accompanies it (initiation fees, restaurant/pro shop minimums, annual assessments to pay for bunkers and tee boxes, and whatever else the committee decides the membership should pay for).

 

As I mentioned, annual memberships are available, but they're basically for unlimited golf and a locker. There's no waiting list, none of that snooty "who do you know" crap, no initiation fees, no minimums. Anybody with the cash can join, and if you can't shell out $5K, it's still yours to play whenever you have +/- $120 or so burning a hole in your pocket.

 

The practice area is also open to the public for $25 a day. I hit balls there next to Bill Parcells a couple years back, but now he plays most of his local rounds at the more exclusive Donald Ross designed Glens Falls Country Club.

 

There are rumors (nothing more) floating around that they're trying to acquire some surrounding property in order to build a hotel and another golf course, which would be awesome, but who knows if it will actually happen.

 

Sure is one beautiful piece of property. It's a must play for me for sure. Maybe we can have a MyGolfSpy OPEN someday?

[Super Tuna]

Maybe we can have a MyGolfSpy OPEN someday?

 

Excellent idea!

Plenty of warning though. I'd need to build up some serious karma points from the wife for something like that

[Tony Covey MGS]

Since the season is just starting up here, and because John Barry just posted a thread about golf photos, and because it's a year and a half old, and we've got a TON of new active forum members, I figured I'd give this thread a little bump.

[Jmikecpa]

I will be up in Saratoga for a meeting next week so I now know where I will be playing golf.

[Tony Covey MGS]

I will be up in Saratoga for a meeting next week so I now know where I will be playing golf.

 

Definitely come back to this thread and let me know what you thought of the course.

[Jmikecpa]

Definitely come back to this thread and let me know what you thought of the course.

Weather did not cooperate for the meeting which was not a bad thing since we cut the second day of the meeting and I got back to NYC a day earlier. I am back up in Saratoga at the end of July so hopefully I will get out and play then.